LED, screen time and Tinnitus

[synjyn]

Hello, first time caller here. Is there anyone out there whose Tinnitus is a direct response to looking at computers, phones or any other LED based apparatus?

[rabbits65]

Good morning,That’s a very interesting question.

I would be interested to know

the answer myself too, I hope

your not suffering too badly.

[synjyn in reply to rabbits65]

Hello rabbits65. Not to sure what the answer is, but I know what causes it, looking at screens. Im no authority on Tinnitus, but I do know that looking at screens is either a cause and or a contributor to Tinnitus. I have been suffering from computer/LED based migraines for over twelve years. I have gone through every permutation of drugs, alternative practices and I am still suffering. A year ago I started to get Tinnitus, badly, the attacks mostly at night are heightened by looking at LED screens, phone or computers. Would be interesting to hear if you have had a similar experience.

[rabbits65 in reply to synjyn]

Hello again, That’s interesting because I’m not sleeping very well and do games like scrabble online and emails and things , it just never occurred to me that being on a computer screen could increase my tinnitus, but I think you might be right . After all they do say it’s not always good for our health generally

[DD70]

Maybe it is related to your posture when using electronic devices. I’m interested to know the real cause. Is it one sided or both sides?

[synjyn in reply to DD70]

Both sides. The Tinnitus is most intense after a day looking at screens, producing a swooshing and or high pitched noise, or even both. Posture wise, I have been good with the posture, I understand that the neck can have an effect on Tinnitus and so bad posture can lead to disruption. But I also think that the flicker from the computer screens, which includes the LED frequencies and scrolling of pages, be it phone or computer can have an adverse affect on the eye muscles, the brain and can contribute towards Tinnitus.

[Valley66 in reply to synjyn]

Can you (or anyone) say more about the neck having an effect on T?

[synjyn in reply to Valley66]

I can only speak from my own experiences. And what I have learnt over the years of self research. A part of my frontal lobe Migraines were due to bad posture, which caused a lot of neck pain. Nerves run up from the neck into the head, and to your eyes as well as other parts of your head. And so if there is a blockage or tightness in the neck this will compromise the nerves running to the head, eyes etc. This will create, on my case a frontal lobe migraine. I found out that back and neck massage, will ease this issue. It frees up the bones, muscles, nerves etc running into the head. I feel this release of tension also has an affect on other head related issues, including Tinnitus. I also echo sazzyrich, with their EMF and wifi mention. So many issues are actually related to each other, it's only when we all realise this, then we can start to understand and start to change the way we relate to technology.

[Sazzyrich]

Hi. EMF and wifi is known to be detrimental to tinnitus, so using an ethernet cable is a good idea if possible. Turning off WiFi at night too. Also recommended is blue light blocking glasses when using screens as the blue light is also detrimental to tinnitus sufferers.

[rabbits65 in reply to Sazzyrich]

Hi , Sazzyrich, I also know someone that is extremely allergic/sensitive to the electricity in combination boilers and makes her very ill. Modern day living has a lot to answer for. She is what is known as Electro sensitive to the extreme. I am sure after reading these posts on here that my very severe tinnitus is caused by the computerised output of my smart mobile and I pad . We need to go back to old fashion living . In the months of lockdown I’m sure even more people are staring more and more at these screens as we are unable to visit people anymore.

[PanPilot]

Hi there... I can't say definitively that my T is caused or made worse by computer (and TV!) use, but I'm pretty sure there is a link. My experience is it seems worse with some screens compared to others.

One of my theories is that it's down to the internal electronics rather than visual effects from the screen. Most, probably all, modern electronics use what are termed 'switched mode' power supplies internally, mainly for reasons of efficiency. These circuits oscillate at high frequency and use tiny coils and transformers, which can 'buzz'. The fundamental frequency is usually above the threshold for human hearing, but it is also possible to generate what are termed sub-harmonics at 1/2, 1/4, of the fundamental which your ears can detect, if only at an extremely low, even subliminal level. Also, cheaply made things like Chinese 'wall-wart' power adaptors and chargers are a common culprit in my experience - put your ear close to it and listen.

It may not be loud, but if it's there in the background for hours or even permanently, who knows what it does? A good subject for a research project for someone maybe?

[NF2K]

Hi synjyn,

I've had tinnitus for 3-4 years and it's the same for me. I have a constant background tinnitus that goes between 2-4 out of 10 in terms of intensity, but a much higher pitched tinnitus that goes from 0 (can't hear it at all) to 10 when reading text on a screen, whether it's laptop/monitor, TV, or phone screen. Trying to play video games is similarly bad if not worse for it.

Some months are worse than others; on a bad month I may only be able to read screens for half and hour before it's at a 6/7 and have to come off. On a good month I might get 4 or 5 hours before reaching the same discomfort.

It ramps up slower if I'm watching video or TV shows, so I've spent much more of my screen time watching youtube in the last couple of years. Reading text on paper is fine, it has no negative effect on my tinnitus.

My tinnitus started around the same time I started taking an SSRI, escitalopram, which I maybe only took for a couple of months, though I can't be certain that that's what caused it. I do also have some hearing damage, but this mostly occurred about 10 years ago, and that's primarily in my right ear where my tinnitus is low level and tolerable.

I had thought about screen refresh rates but haven't experimented with that yet.

I also mean to try a blue light filter as Sazzyrich mentioned.

Posture doesn't seem to have a noticeable effect on my tinnitus; I get it the same sat up in my bed reading on my phone as when sat upright in front of an eye level PC monitor.

Other things I've tried which haven't had a significant effect:

- prescription glasses (very mild prescription since my vision is good)

- +1.5 reading glasses

- sunglasses

- eye patch (my intrusive tinnitus occurs mostly on my left side. I've tried covering each eye)

I did cut out caffeine (tea mostly) almost a year ago and felt it improved my tinnitus but now I'm wondering if it was just a placebo effect.

Started a 30 day course of 120mg/day ginkgo biloba the other day. I don't expect it to help but thought I'd try it to rule it out

The only thing that's really working for me is taking frequent 15 minute breaks from my laptop when it starts to get bad, it's almost like a partial reset

[NF2K in reply to NF2K]

Just remembered as well as I start to get jaw tension prior to the onset of my screen-induced tinnitus. I'm try to keep my jaw relaxed and never clench it though the tinnitus builds regardless

[DownUnderInAus]

I can add that the less time I spend on my computer or tablet the less I suffer with tinnitus, I went on holiday for 2 weeks and couldn't spend hours a day on the computer. I returned home without tinnitus. I am now back on the computer daily and the tinnitus has returned. I believe "my neck" be involved here (I have poor posture when on the computer).

[synjyn]

I agree with all above. It’s a combination with bad neck posture and led usage. I have used the blue light the glasses the drugs. But the one thing that works, is to not look at screens. It Takes a few days to get better. I think also teeth have an effects on the tinnitus as well, fillings etc. next step is to take out all my metal fillings and replace with white fillings.

[NF2K]

I too have spent a few days away in the past and my tinnitus went to a 1-2 out of 10. I was then able to use screens for a few days before it would easily ramp up to intolerable levels again.I suspect my posture does play a role though I don't think it's the main cause for me at least.

I've wondered about fillings. I have a few metal ones that I think were all added after my tinnitus first started but I should check dates with my dentist.